Falcons Suffer Setback Against WLC

MEQUON, Wis. - The Concordia University Wisconsin baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader against Wisconsin Lutheran College on Tuesday at Kapco Park, bringing their overall record to 12-9 and their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) record to .500 at 4-4. The losses also left the Falcons with a 3-3 record in non-conference play.

Although both games were played at Concordia University Wisconsin, the Warriors were considered the home team on the scoreboard. Originally scheduled to be played at Wisconsin Lutheran College, the games were moved to Concordia due to poor field conditions at WLC.

The Warriors claimed both victories, winning the first game 8-4 and the second 3-2.

The Warriors jumped out to a 2-0 lead early, but the Falcons responded with three runs in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. 

Freshman Graham Kasten (Mequon, Wis.) singled through the right side to bring in the first run, while sophomore Connor Lasch (Chicago, Ill.) added a sacrifice fly to center. With two outs, CUW benefited from a throwing error by WLC's shortstop, allowing the Falcons to score their third run and take the lead.

However, Wisconsin Lutheran quickly reclaimed the advantage in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs to go up 5-3. Despite a run in the fourth inning from Kasten, the Falcons couldn't catch up, and the Warriors held on for an 8-4 win.

Kasten had a standout performance in game one, recording a team-high two hits, two RBIs, and a stolen base. On the mound, senior Owen Burns (Morris, Ill.) pitched 3.1 innings, striking out six batters, while fellow senior Chris Rooney (Mundelein, Ill.) threw three scoreless innings, allowing only two hits.

The Warriors held a narrow 1-0 lead going into the seventh inning, but the Falcons tied the game at 1-1 when senior Kyle Flynn (Downers Grove, Ill.) hit a sacrifice fly to center field. However, the Warriors regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth, scoring two runs to take a 3-1 advantage.

With three outs to tie the game, the Falcons mounted a rally, loading the bases with a couple of walks and a single. Lasch drew another walk, bringing home a run and cutting the deficit to 3-2. Unfortunately, the Falcons were unable to score the tying run and fell short, 3-2.

In game two, Flynn and Kasten each recorded two hits and an RBI. Senior Jack Hribernik (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) pitched five solid innings, allowing just one earned run.

The Falcons will look to rebound this Saturday when they travel to Rockford for their next NACC matchup.